the concept of energy conservation in architectural design ... · the concept of energy...

Athens Journal of Architecture XY

1

The Concept of Energy Conservation in

Architectural Design and the Creation of

Modern Thai Architectural Identity

By Rungrat Tengkaoprasert

The concept of energy conservation is not only a part of green architectural design,

but also an important element in the creation of a Thai architectural identity. The

objectives of this research are to 1) review and collect theories and concepts of

energy conservation in architectural design from academic papers; 2) conduct

surveys of architecture in various regions in Thailand, which are prominent and

relevant to this concept; and 3) interview professional and academic architects. The

results of this research, “The concept of energy conservation in architectural design

within a Thai context,” consists of five fundamental principles as follows: 1) passive

design, such as building ventilation and natural lighting; 2) active design, such as

building climate control and optimization of electrical equipment and appliances; 3)

usage of green areas in Thai architecture, such as tree plantations inside or around

the building, vertical gardens, roof gardens and reducing or replacing impervious

surfaces by plants; 4) design following function and utilization by grouping

functional areas or zoning from natural zones, passive zones, semi-passive zones

and control zones in buildings; and 5) construction method design, such as reducing

the quantity of material use and construction waste and introducing the use of low

environmental impact materials. According to the results of this research, professional

and academic architects mainly focus on two principles: passive design and design

follows function, while only a few integrated all five principles. Furthermore, the

interviewees perceived that “semi outdoor/indoor space” or “grey area” is a climatic

responsive design that plays an important role in Thai architectural identity. In

conclusion, an analysis of several case studies showed that passive design, use of

green areas, and design following construction processes are the major design

principles of Thai architecture that transformation but still cohere.

Introduction

After the industrial revolution (1750 -1850), the concept of overcoming

nature with scientific knowledge created many innovations in the world. The

world’s economy was growing stronger, increasing employment, productivity

and spending. This lasted until the energy crisis period (1970s), when discussions

built regarding the oil crisis (1973) and environmental crises, such as the

greenhouse effect, ozone hole, urban heat island, acid rain and, especially,

climate change. This situation has created increased energy consciousness.

An architectural society should be aware of and responsible for the

environment by designing architecture with energy conservation, which

integrates scientific knowledge and local wisdom, in mind. The people in

Assistant Professor, Lecturer, Thammasat University, Thailand.

Vol. X, No. Y Tengkaoprasert: The Concept of Energy Conservation …

2

Southeast Asia and Thailand often coexist with nature. Their settlements are

often on the edge of a river, so the houses are elevated, allowing for floods,

and in the shade of trees, as in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1. Thai House Located at River Front, Bangyai, Bangkok, Thailand;

The Entrance Located to the River Source: Wongprasert, Ratchaneekorn, 2014.

Figure 2. Big Leather Museum, Khanon Temple, Ratchaburi

1

Source: Inpantang, Vira, 2011.

1. Traditional Thai House: one of the many special architectural elements was a big tree

in the courtyard: Build a House and Plant a Tree.


3

“In the United Kingdom, some 40 - 50% of the national consumption of

primary energy is used for building service.”2 As in other countries, more

than half of energy consumption is spent on buildings, especially in capital

cities. Energy conservation for buildings, in addition to reducing the cost of

the building, also reduces the overall energy consumption, and thus the

environmental impact.

The concept and hypothesis in this research, namely that Thai architecture in

the past was designed to be environmentally responsible with low energy

consumption and low environmental impact, is representative of a key issue

within energy conservation. The study looks at the concept of energy

conservation in architectural design and the creation of modern Thai architectural

identity, as part of a research project on green architecture and sustainable

development, which observed concepts and principles of energy conservation

and Thai architectural identity from the past to the present. The result of this

research will be a guideline to design a modern Thai architecture, that suitable

for present economic, social and also be responsible for the environment.

Literature Review

In the past, Thai people settled near the river because it was convenient

for living and transportation. Thai architectural identity consists of wooden

houses, raised basements, courtyards and trees in or close to the building.

They are divided into indoor space, semi-indoor space and outdoor space.

The living area in a Thai house has an eaves space and a terrace with big

trees, and the area for living can be used in comfort without energy, as in

Figure 3.

2. Randall Mcmullan, Environmental Science in Building (New York: Palgrave Publishers

Ltd., 2002), 345.


4

Figure 3. Traditional Thai House, in Some House was plant a Big Tree in

Courtyard or Terrace, that for Thermal Comfort Source: Adapted from Jaijongrak, Ruetai, 2000.

3

The concept of energy conservation in architectural design utilizes

integrated technology, as well as scientific and local wisdom, in order to reduce

energy consumption and to create a comfortable zone. Givoni identified the

four principles of comfort zone creation,4 as follows:

Ventilated Cooling is the principle of cooling with cool air through, when

the wind through the occupiers will cool down.

Radiant Cooling is the principle of temperature transfer at materials’

surface. This can be applied with a building envelopment, for the

appropriate temperature transfer at an appropriate time and function area.

Evaporative Cooling, when water evaporates, draws heat energy from the

environment to reduce the temperature. Therefore, there are increases in

the spray in the air and evaporation. When the water evaporates, the

temperature decreases.

Cooled soil as a cooling source for the building, at a depth of 2-3 meters

from the surface, the soil is at a lower temperature, which means that the

3. Ruetai Jaijongrak, Ruen Thai Derm (Bangkok: Thammasat University printing house,

2000).

4. Baruch Givoni, Passive and low energy cooling of building (New York: Van Nostrand

Reinhold. 1994), 3-19.


5

soil can be a cooling source. However, this principle is rarely found and

applied in Thailand.

When the weather is hot, people often stay in air-conditioned areas.

Electricity consumption for air conditioning systems accounts for at least half

of the total power consumption of buildings. Therefore, the concept of energy

conservation in architectural design should to apply to all processes of a

project life cycle from the design stage to the construction stage, occupancy

stage and renovation stage. This research compiles the principle of architectural

design for energy conservation in five ways.

Passive Design Concept

Passive Design is the concept of building structures based on the principle

and potential of natural energy to create a comfort zone for the occupant.

Natural ventilation and natural lighting are the most natural energy applications

in this design.

Natural Ventilation

The three methods of designing architecture can be applied with natural

ventilation for creating a comfort zone.

Ventilation through various openings may occur by designing a building

with openings or using a brick vent to allow the air through.

Ventilation through the space under a house is found in Thai architecture

and throughout Southeast Asia. The houses are usually raised in the basement

due to the settlements being in flood areas, and that space allows good wind

flow. Ventilation through the space under the roof, which is a heat storage

space, needs to be vented through ventilators. Figure 3 shows the elements of a traditional Thai house that have been

designed to allow the wind to blow through in a variety of ways. The semi-

indoor areas and outdoor area are the living spaces between daytime, which

also express traditional Thai life style.

Natural Lighting

In the application of lighting design in buildings, direct lighting and

indirect lighting depend on functional areas, because heat comes with light,

which increases the load on the air conditioning system. Designers must use

the appropriate design techniques to account for this. This paper has compiled

four approaches to the use of natural light in a building: light from the side of

the building, light from the top of the building, light through the hallway or


6

large openings, and reflective surfaces or lighting sheets.5 These methods rely

on technology and architectural elements to reduce heat radiation or glare,

such as a shading device for light filtering, tree planting and low emissivity

glass, which allows light to pass through but filters heat energy.

In Thai architecture design concepts, natural light and ventilation have

been integrated by designing the light from the top and sides, and raising the

basement for the wind to pass through, as in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Temple Women's Shelter, Wat Pa Wachira Banphot, Chonburi

6

Source: Prasertsuk, Santirak, 2011.

Active Design Concept

Active Design is based on technology or innovation that saves energy.

Boonyatikarn (1999) said “The design of energy-saving buildings should use

the most benefit of natural potential, while seeking the least energy-consuming

processes and technologies to enrich quality of life without compromising the

environment”. The case study is collected as follows.

5. Awiroot Srisutapan and Panjira Tisawipat, Daylight in Architecture (Patumthani:

Thammasat University Printing, 2009), 49-59.

6. This shelter was designed with small skylights and a raised high floor, so that natural

light and wind would enter the building. During the day, this building uses little energy. So,

these architectural elements make the occupiers feel comfort.


7

Case Study of Air-conditioned Area

The main source of energy consumption is temperature adjustment.

Therefore, the method of reducing energy consumption of the air conditioning

has to integrate aspects of specific knowledge. The basic principle is that

"Allowing outside air to leak into the building results in huge amounts of

energy loss" (Boonyatikarn 1999). Therefore, the air temperature control in

air-conditioned areas has to control air leakage and control the relative

humidity. In Thailand, the average relative humidity is 72-74%,7 while the

appropriate relative humidity is 40%.8

Figure 5 shows the working principle of a general air conditioner and an

air conditioner with a heat pipe. In general, air conditioning acts to reduce

temperature and humidity, so the cooling coil in the air conditioner is

modified by adding the heat pipe, optimizing it for dehumidification and

energy efficiency. Another way to increase the energy efficiency is to turn on

the air conditioner all day (24 hours), because a constant temperature will

reduce the cooling load.

Figure 5. Comparison of Working Principle of General Air Conditioner and

Air Conditioner with Heat Pipe Source: Boonyatikarn, Soontorn, 1999.

7. Department of Meteorology, Relative Humidity.

8. Soontom Boonyatikarn, Energy efficient home design technique for better quality of life

(Bangkok: Property market co., ltd, 1999).


8

Case Study of Optimization of Electrical Equipment

Currently, the development of energy efficient appliances, such as energy-

saving appliances and longer-lasting LED lights, use less power and less heat.

In addition, elevator systems in high-rise buildings, when they are intelligent

systems, can calculate and identify which lift to send to the callers. This

increases the efficiency of the transportation and saves more energy in the

building.

Green Concept

Many large trees can reduce temperatures in the daytime as the trees use

solar energy and the environment to live. They also absorb water from the

soil and convert it into steam that is lost from the leaves. These processes use

about 2,200 BTU of thermal energy to convert one liter of water into steam,

so a big tree can absorb water from the soil and convert it into steam at about

65 liters/day, which means big trees can reduce the heat in the environment

equivalent to air conditioning of 12,000 BTU/hr (daytime is 12 hrs.). Thus,

temperature reductions can be created by planting trees and building appropriate

environments, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Diagram Showing Group of Large Trees Absorbing Solar Radiation,

when the Wind through the Bush is Absorbed and Reduces the Hot Temperature Source: Boonyatikarn, Soontorn, 2002.

9

In the past, the Thai style garden had no clear form or order, and was

unrecognized amongst the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Spanish Garden

and French Garden. However, Sukawattana (1996) collected and explained

9. Soontorn Boonyatikarn, Integrated Design Approve: Shinawatra University. (Bangkok: G

M Max Media, 2002).


9

the green areas of Thailand in two categories: functional green area and

vegetation green area.10 The details are as follows.

Functional Green Area

(1) The Royal Garden: the king's garden is a private, natural and cleanly

decorated area, located outside the city wall.

(2) The Public Park: this was rarely found in Thailand in the past. In

addition to the “Sugar Palm Forest”, the king provided a public hearing

area and a Dharma area.

(3) Landscape: often found in only palaces and temples, the composition

of the space often uses bonsai, potted plants and artificial mountains.

This area is for ceremonial and religious purposes.

(4) Water Garden: this was formed with the digging of the pond for

consumption, after which they began to plant lotus for beauty and the

worship of Buddha.

Vegetation Green Area

(1) Large perennials, or sacred trees, was often planted in the courtyard or

around the house in some direction according to the principle of faith. (2) Medium and small perennials are trees planted for food and for shade.

These trees, such as mango, jackfruit, longan, etc., are commonly located

in the middle of a courtyard.

(3) Flowers and bushes, planted in the ground and in pots, were mostly

planted on entrance stairs and around fences as aesthetically pleasing

symbols of hospitality. This vegetation was usually fragrant. In the

case of the potted plants, these show the social status of the wealthy

and are located in the space under the eaves and patios.

(4) Vegetables and herbs, planted for food and for body treatments, were

commonly planted in the backyard or around fences.

The objective of planting in traditional Thai architecture was to provide

shade for living spaces, relief from high temperatures, food and symbols of

belief and ceremony. There are many types of planting that have been found

to be related to Thai architecture, such as planting trees in the middle of a

courtyard, planting big trees near and around the house, planting trees in a

natural water resource or pond, and planting trees in pots, etc.

Grouping Functional Area Concept

Behavior and building occupancy have a significant impact on energy

consumption. In the design stage, the architect might design and plan to the

10. Kaiseang Sukawattana, Suan Thai (Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University printing house,

1996).


10

owner’s requirements or some assumptions, but after the building has been

passed to the occupants, they might have different behaviors or create new

functions. Therefore, the building manager should follow, monitor and analyze

the behaviors for managing the efficiency of energy and the area. The principle

of grouping functional areas for energy management should be performed

according to the activities described in Table 1.

Table 1. Groupings of Functional Areas, Categorized by Activities and Level

of Thermal Comfort

Zone Detail Activities and Function

Natural Zone

Outdoor area.

Weather changes all the time.

Landscape can be designed to be

comfortable.

Casual activity such as

walking, sitting and

exercising.

Passive Zone

Semi-indoor areas that rely on natural

and architectural elements to prevent

environmental influences, but still rely

on natural energy, such as wind and

natural light.

Canteen

Multi-purpose hall

Semi-Passive

Zone

Indoor area, uses a mechanical control

system for comfort zone.

Transition area between passive zone

and control zone.

Temperature transition area.

Corridor

Casual working area

Rest area

Control Zone Indoor area, where mechanical

dependencies completely control.

Concentration area, such

as meeting room and

working area. Source: Adapted from Boonyatikarn, Soontorn, 2002.

Construction Method Design

In addition to considering the orientation, functional zone, passive and

active designs, material production and the construction process that creates

waste and impacts the environment, architects must be aware and

environmentally responsible in the building design stage.

The Thai Green Building Institute, under the supervision of the Thai

Green Building Foundation, has set up a green building gauge system called

“Thai’s Rating of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (TREES).”11

TREES for New Construction and Major Renovation Version 1.1 (TREES –

NC Version 1.1) states in Division 5: Materials and Resources, which are

divided into three sub-divisions:

(1) Reduce new materials by maximizing the use of existing buildings or

by reusing materials.

11. Thai Green Building Institute, Thai’s Rating of Energy and Environmental Sustainability

for New Construction and Major Renovation (Bangkok: TGBI, 2013).


11

(2) Reducing construction waste should start at the beginning of the

design stage, construction stage and should manage waste and

separate the types of waste.

(3) Use of low environmental impact material, environmentally friendly

material, natural materials and local materials should contribute to

lower the energy consumption for transportation.

Traditional Thai Architecture belongs to the energy conservation buildings,

with the principle of passive design concepts, such as using natural lighting

and ventilation, planting trees to reduce the temperature and also construction

design methods, such as material production and timber modular system.

The case study of the Lanna Rice Barn Homestay in Chiangmai showed

that owner Adul Heranya collected 20 ancient rice barns, which were adapted

to be a homestay.12

A Thai vernacular house is a building that can be

dismantled and transported, because the use of materials is cost-effective and

re-uses buildings. This ability is representative of the culture, knowledge and

wisdom of the Thai ancestors (see Figure 7). That also complies with the

TREES criteria for the division of materials and resources, reducing the new

materials and reducing the construction waste. Therefore, the Thai vernacular

architecture is a unique architecture that is environmentally friendly and

compatible with nature.

Figure 7. Lanna Rice Barn Homestay

13

Source: Heranya, Adul, 2013.

The principles of energy conservation, compiled from documents and

textbooks, show that most energy-saving designs follow the same principles

as the Thai architectural design derived from the wisdom of ancestors. In the

project life cycle – from the feasibility study, programming, design, and

construction to occupancy and renovation – all processes should be planned

and designed with the concept of energy conservation.

12. I-Urban, Lanna Rice Barn Homestay, 2013.

13.This building was adapted and re-built form Rice Barns, in Thai Vernacular Architecture.


12

Methodology

The main steps and the scope of the research are summarized below.

Study of Concept of Energy Conservation Architecture

Theoretical studies from academic papers define the principle of

architectural design for energy conservation. These include case studies of

relevant architectures by analyzing architectural elements that express

“inheritance” or “transformation” from Thai traditional architecture.

Conducting Surveys of Architecture

Conducting surveys of architecture in various Thai regions depends on

the list of architectural sites determined by the research committee. These

cover the architectural case studies in Step 1 and the distinctive characters

that correspond to the concept of the research.

Interviewing Professional and Academic Architects

Both professional and academic architects were interviewed as they were

the architects who designed the buildings in the surveys. Interviews were

conducted to find the ideas and inspirations for the design, as well as to

understand the creation of modern Thai architectural identity.

Integrative Data Analysis and Discussion of Results

Integrated data analysis, field surveys and interviews with professional

architects and academics led to the results of this research. The results of this

research were discussed with the research committee, leading to the point of

“inheritance” or “transformation” from Thai traditional architecture under the

concept of energy conservation for present and future societies.

The analysis of Thai architectural identity related to the concept of

energy, which can classify the architectural elements by “inheritance” and

“transformation”, defined as:14

Inheritance refers to the continuation of the pattern, materials and traditional

construction methods, in accordance with their beliefs, ways of life and

traditions. There are levels of “inheritance,” and lower levels may be the

beginning of a transformation.

Transformation refers to changes in the pattern, materials and new

construction methods that are based on the climate, beliefs and some

traditions. These are the patterns that reflect the basic abstract and the

present social context.

14. Vimolsithi Horayangkura, Boosakom Settaworakit and Vira Inpantang, The Creation of

Modern Thai Architectural Identity: Fundamentals of Thai Architectural Identity (Bangkok: JBP

Center Co., Ltd., 2015), 4-95.


13

Results

The results from this research came from two sources: sampling and interviewing with professional and academic architects. The results are based

on combining principles and theories, as follows.

Results of Sampling

Integrating the analysis data led to discussion and conclusions about the

architectural elements under the concept of energy conservation. This produced a

classification of the architectural elements by “inheritance” or “transformation”,

based on the principle of architectural design for energy conservation in five

ways.

Passive Design Concept

The case studies found five architectural elements:

Ventilated walls

Elevated floors

Space under the roof / Eaves space

Shading devices

Small skylight

The architectural elements are designed to rely on natural energy and

create “semi-indoor space” for the living area in the Thai lifestyle.

Figure 8. Rirkrit Tiravanija’s House, Gradually Built by Existing Budget and

Avoiding Existing Trees15

Source: Tengkaoprasert Rungrat. Settaworakit, Bootsakorn and Horayangura, Vimolsithi, 2011.

15. The architectural element of this house contributes to the semi-indoor space distributed

around the house. It also has the appearance of the elevated floor, receives the natural light.

And one important is the concept of maintain the existing trees that make the house shady

and reduce the temperature.


14

The case studies of inheritance were “Rirkrit Tiravanija’s House” (see

Figure 8), “Dharma House” (see Figure 10) and “Lanna Rice Barn” (see

Figure 7). The common physical aspects were an “elevated floor” and “some

ventilated walls”. Due to the space created from those elements, the user can

live without air conditioners. The case studies of transformation were “Tonkhoa Panin’s House” (see

Figure 11), “Panyaden International School”, “Temple women's shelter, Wat

pa Wachira Banphot” (see Figure 4), “Operation Building of the Faculty of

Economics, Kasetsart University”, “Mahidol Learning Center” and “Chulabhorn

Graduate Institute Building”. The buildings’ physical constructions used modern

materials. Most of the buildings are public buildings with complex spaces, but

they still have physical features that reflect the Thai architectural identity, such as

the elevated floors, the small sky light and use some ventilated materials.

Active Design Concept

Architects have to integrate their knowledge of different building

technologies and decide on a selection of architectural elements, such as

“automatic-shading devices”, “efficient air conditioners” and “innovation of

electric appliances”, etc.

The conclusions from the case studies related to aspects of the active design

concept showcasing Thai architecture identity as a transformation from the past,

such as:

The Kasikorn Business-Technology Group (KBTG) Building is Thailand’s

first financial institution office building to be awarded a LEED-NC Platinum

certification in the category of new construction or major renovation. The

building envelopment is “Insulted Laminate.” Moreover, the open floor plan

allows natural light through and uses special air conditioner technology, which

saves energy. The building can save 50 percent of the water supply, because it

has a water treatment system for reuse.

In the Bio Solar House, architect Soontorn Boonyatikarn integrated his

knowledge of energy saving mechanisms with architecture design. The Bio Solar

House saved 15 percent of the general building energy consumption. The

important technique here was the efficient solar cells on the tilted roof at 35

degrees, and the tilted roof at 25 degrees for trapping the water and the dew into

the rain gutter through a vertical channel into the sand pond to filter the water, so

that the house does not have to rely on a water supply, and also uses the treated

water. He created a green environment with trees for shading, which control the

climate around the house, as in Figure 9.


15

Figure 9. Bio Solar House Source: Boonyatikarn, Soontorn, 2004.

16

Green Concept

The green area or planting area can be created in various patterns.

The physical characteristics of the case studies included planting large

trees in the terrace, planting trees around the building, paving the turf block,

vertical garden and roof garden.

The case studies of inheritance were “Dharma House” (see Figure 10),

“Rirkrit Tiravanija’s House”, “East House”, “Arsom Silp Institute of The

Arts”, “Temple women's shelter, Wat pa Wachira Banphot” and “Mahidol

Learning Center”. These had “the big tree in courtyard” and “trees around and

inside the building”.

Figure 10. Dharma House, Chiangmai

17

Source: Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University alumni association, 2011.18

The case studies of green concepts of transformation were “Rachamankha

Hotel” and “Operation Building of the Faculty of Economics, Kasetsart

16. Soontorn Boonyatikarn, Bio-Solar home: It is power by the Sun (Bangkok:

Chulalongkorn University Press, 2004).

17. This is a place for a big family to live in and is designed for several functions, such as

office space, Dharma pavilion, observatory and bedroom pavilion. This house does not use air

conditioners, but it is comfortable because of the old big tree that creates shade and reduces the

temperature, while the architect created a gray area from shade for the architectural elements, such

as patio, terrace, eaves and elevated house.

18. Faculty of Architecture. Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association. a+A07:

Dharma House (Bangkok: Amarin Printing & Publishing Pcl., 2011).


16

University”. These had planting patterns following “vertical garden”, “roof

garden” and “turf block”.

Grouping Functional Area Concept

The grouping of areas occurs based on activities and hierarchy from

“natural zone” to “control zone”. This also seems to be part of the traditional

Thai architecture, including a hierarchy from “courtyard” to “eaves space”

until “indoor space”. However, the case study of transformation was “Shinawatra

University Buildings”.

Construction Method Design

In the construction process there is a lot of waste, but Traditional Thai

Architecture is built from natural materials, such as wood, and knocking

down the system causes less waste. This stems from an understanding of the

limitations and properties of the materials, which is different to the general

construction. The samples designed with inheritance were “Dhrama House”,

“Lanna Rice Barn”, “Arsom Silp Institute of The Arts” and “Panyaden

International School”.

Results of Interviews with Professional and Academic Architects

The interviews showed that most architects mainly focus on the passive

design concept and the grouping functional areas concept. Some architects

had a comprehensive design concept of energy conservation, which integrates

all energy-saving approaches together. This includes the architect Soontorn

Boonyatikarn, who integrated a variety of ideas about energy saving to design

a home energy-saving facility with about 15 times that of a typical building.

On the other hand, when Architect Chaiwat Limwattananon was interviewed

about the architectural design of his firm, it was mainly the concept of energy

conservation, such as “The Kasikorn Business-Technology Group (KBTG)

Building,” which was approved by the LEED Platinum certification.

The outstanding case study that integrated energy-saving approaches is

“Tonkhao Panin’s House,” as in Figure 11.


17

Figure 11. Tonkhao Panin’s House, Thai Architectural Identity Transformation

19

Source: Panin, Tonkhao, 2013.

Discussion

Traditional Thai architecture is created for living in thermal comfort that

is designed for a warm humid climate and almost does not consume energy.

Presently, the way of life is changing due to economic, social and technological

improvements, so this research proves the Thai architectural identity that is

consistent with the concept of energy conservation and that is appropriate to

the climate. In addition, this concept can be applied from the beginning of a

project lifecycle until post occupancy. As well as the energy conservation, the

creation of comfortable conditions and the efficiency of building applications

are important considerations for the designer to consider. In addition, public

buildings in Thailand are usually not closed, but often semi-open buildings,

so there is no control weather, which are often. These are the factors that

make architects to have to create space for thermal comfort if possible.

Conclusions

To sum up, the architectural elements of energy conservation for inheritance

19. It was designed with ventilated materials, big trees in the courtyard, semi-indoor area

at the elevated floors and reuse of some old materials for demonstration, these are consistent

with the concept of energy conservation.


18

are: “Elevated Floors”, “Terrace or Semi-Indoor Area”, “Planting Big Trees

in Terrace”, “Planting Trees around Building”, “Natural Materials”, and

“Modular or Knock-Down System”. These architectural elements allow the

occupant to remain in the building without air conditioners.

The architectural elements of energy conservation for transformation are:

“Efficient Technology to Control Air Quality integrated with Grouping

Functional Area”, “Insulation Materials”, and “Green Innovation: Vertical

Garden, Turf Block”. These building technologies were developed to support

the way of life and complicated new functional areas.

It can be concluded that energy conservation architecture is a design that

integrates several energy saving methods as a whole, and the case studies

showed Thai architectural inheritance. Most of the architects design buildings

based on a passive design concept and green concept, which is also a Thai

architecture design concept of inheritance. In the integration of knowledge,

they hope to build energy conserving buildings until they are self-sufficient

buildings. Hoewver, these need capital for design and construction, so it was

found that not too many firms were willing to invest in such public buildings,

financial buildings and office buildings, etc.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the Thailand Research Fund for the research project “The

Creation of Modern Thai Architectural Identity”, the big research project that

has 6 sub research project including: “Fundamentals of Thai Architectural

Identity”, “Architectural Composition, Form and Scale/Proportion”,

“Architectural Features and Refinement”, “Architectural Configuration”,

“Modern Thai Architecture under Globalization and Localization”, and

“Green Architecture and Sustainable Development”. Thanks to Professor Dr.

Vimolsithi Horayangkura, head of the research project and research

committee who contributed to and pushed this research forward. Important

thanks to Thammasat University for providing scholarships to distribute some

knowledge from the research.

Bibliography

Boonyatikarn, Soontorn. Energy efficient home design technique for better quality of

life. Bangkok: Property market co., ltd, 1999.

Boonyatikarn, Soontorn. Integrated Design Approve: Shinawatra University. Bangkok:

G M Max Media, 2002.

Boonyatikarn, Soontorn. Bio-Solar home: It is power by the Sun. Bangkok:

Chulalongkorn University Press, 2004.

Department of Meteorology. Relative Humidity. http://bit.ly/2zkO4CB [Accessed

June 17, 2014].

Faculty of Architecture. Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association. a+A07:

Dharma House. Bangkok: Amarin Printing & Publishing Pcl., 2011.


19

Givoni, Baruch. Passive and low energy cooling of building. New York: Van Nostrand

Reinhold, 1994.

Horayangkura, Vimolsithi, Boosakorn Settaworakit and Vira Inpantang. The Creation of

Modern Thai Architectural Identity: Fundamentals of Thai Architectural Identity.

Bangkok: JBP Center Co., Ltd., 2015.

I-Urban. Lanna Rice Barn Homestay. 2013. http://bit.ly/2AsfIvh [Accessed April 28,

2014].

Jaijongrak, Ruetai. Ruen Thai Derm. Bangkok: Thammasat University printing house,

2000.

Mcmullan, Randall. Environmental Science in Building. New York: Palgrave Publishers

Ltd., 2002, 345.

Srisutapan Awiroot and Panjira Tisawipat. Daylight in Architecture. Patumthani:

Thammasat University Printing, 2009, 49-59.

Sukawattana, Kaiseang. Suan Thai. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University printing house,

1996.

Thai Green Building Institute. Thai’s Rating of Energy and Environmental Sustainability

for New Construction and Major Renovation. Bangkok: TGBI, 2013.

the concept of energy conservation in architectural design ... · the concept of energy...

Documents